• What was the "canon" of Space 1999? How true should Space 2099 be to this "canon?"

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    Published on 03-08-2012 02:51 AM
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    I think the question needs to be raised: What was the "canon" of Space 1999 and how true should Space 2099 be to that "canon?"

    I would suggest a few simple things to get started:
    • The awe and wonder and danger of space
    • The large and often irreversible results of human error
    • The Mysterious Unknown Force
    • The overall Goodness of the Universe


    What do you think was the "canon" of Space 1999?
    This article was originally published in forum thread: What was the "canon" of Space 1999? How true should Space 2099 be to this "canon?" started by Columba View original post
    Comments 5 Comments
    1. DaleThelander's Avatar
      DaleThelander - 03-08-2012, 04:13 AM
      Well...I agree with Paul (no surprise there), i believe the set-up should be the same. Alpha should be as the original, the Eagles are sacrosanct! Koenig should be an "older" character, a commander should have plenty of space experience under his vinyl belt. The Commlock should remain, with its' original function. (Which seemed to differ episode-to-episode in Series Two.) The base should be a research facility, and not military, run by a World Space Programme. Science should be the primary objective of the base' existence. Altruism, yes, but these people have NO idea what kind of ride they're in for. I would think there would be more stressors for the crew post-breakaway. I'd think there would be cases of suicides by distraught crewmembers grieving for the loved ones they'll never see again. It should also be pointed up that Alpha is self-sufficient. Everything can be mined and manufactured on Alpha, right down to new uniforms. (After all, the Moon has been proven to be rich in titanium.) There's my 2 cents. Discuss...
    1. TheOracle's Avatar
      TheOracle - 03-08-2012, 06:52 PM
      First of all, Space 1999 was strong because of its well developed characters. It had its issues, but the strengths of Koenig, Alan (and then) Maya and Tony are its greatest assets. Not to mention the Eagles are just as much characters as well. While Helena was balanced, her character (in the 70's) was portrayed so weakly. There were so many scenarios where you kept asking yourself, how can "Chief" be a part of her title. She was too wishy washy and emotional.

      The new version should revamp her character into a powerful strong and determined image. Alan should have a drinking problem, and Koenig should clip his nails at his desk. Ok now I'm off the deepend...
    1. Columba's Avatar
      Columba - 03-09-2012, 02:32 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by PaulBens View Post
      Huh? Uh, I'm not sure if you and I watched the same series as I would never say this was a hallmark of the show let alone canon. In fact, I can't think of one episode where the "goodness" of the universe is really ever even touched upon.

      Honestly, I think the items you've listed (except that whole goodness thing) are not so much canon as they are themes. Canon really is a set of rule, of events that have come before that should be adhered to.

      To me, the canon of 1999 is

      Alphans at extreme disadvantage/unprepared for what happens.
      Alphans seldom the smarter of the species out in space
      Moon out of Earth Orbit.
      Commander/Chief medical officer initially at odds with one another.
      Eagles as primary fleet of vehicles
      Bergman's mechanical heart
      The death of Russell's husband.

      etc.
      In thinking over your question about the overall goodness of the universe, I think perhaps my reasoning was based on the stunning beauty of the Space Scenes of Space 1999. I think my conclusion was "goodness" based on those, alone. So maybe Awe and Beauty of the universe would have been a better choice of words.
    1. Jeffery Page's Avatar
      Jeffery Page - 03-13-2012, 06:02 PM
      The canon of 1999 was humans thrown out into the great beyond and facing & sorting out their problems. In the new series, first they would be problems with lost of home but as the series progresses these would fade and the group would become the embassadors of all the good things of earth, as is Star trek current problems/issues could be aired in an unbias way.
    1. al feersum's Avatar
      al feersum - 03-13-2012, 07:09 PM
      The thing about '1999 is that all the 'planets' they encountered triggered the Goldilocks protocol: "It looks perfect! Lets get a closer look!" only to find the 'No Vacancies' sign hanging on the door, or the three bears were on their way back from a hunting mission with a bunch of their friends, armed to the teeth. Or even that the porridge was too salty.

      It'd be pretty interesting if only some of the planets were habitable. A gas giant might be defended by an automated system to protect alien gas miners. They might encounter a giant Mercury hosting silicon based lifeforms (not life on a substrate, but life in the sense that silicon replaces carbon: after all, it does share similar properties with carbon. Sure - there's an issue with covalency, but maybe heat and pressure could resolve this.

      There's a nice 'pedia article here.

      What about high-G planets? They might look like a tasty snack, but anything above 1.5G is going to be a real drag. As with low-G planets... the atmosphere could just blow away without warning...

      What about raiding derelicts for 'stuff'? Only to find that the automatics are still running, or there are people in hibernation ('Earthbound') or still alive, running amok ('Mission of the Darians')? Some of the old plots could be revisited and played with (but this would be baaad, as would stealing from Trek).